Receive the latest national-international updates in your inbox

Anger, Division at UMD Over Decision to Keep Coach DJ Durkin

Teammates, classmates and family of Jordan McNair, the University of Maryland football player who died in June after collapsing during a workout, voiced opposition to the decision to keep head coach DJ Durkin. A student government body has planned a protest against the decision as students express concern. News4's Jackie Bensen reports. (Published Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018)

What to Know

The University System of Maryland Board of Regents accepted an independent investigation's findings of a troubled but not toxic program.

The regents recommended head coach DJ Durkin be retained.

University President Wallace Loh said this will be his last school year at the university.

University of Maryland football coach DJ Durkin and Athletic Director Damon Evans will keep their jobs, but President Wallace Loh announced plans to retire in June.

At a news conference about the results of the independent investigation of the culture of the University of Maryland football program Tuesday, the University System of Maryland Board of Regents recommended that Durkin retain his job.

"We believe coach Durkin has been unfairly blamed for the dysfunction in the athletic department," Board of Regents Chairman Jim Brady said.

He added, "He has acknowledged his role in the athletics department’s shortcomings while he has served as head coach and he has committed to ensuring the proper reforms, working with the independent monitor to see that they are implemented."

The family of 19-year-old offensive lineman Jordan McNair, who died of heatstroke June 13, two weeks after collapsing on the field during a preseason workout, wanted Durkin fired.

"Today the board ratified and validated the heartbreaking actions by Coach Durkin and his staff towards Jordan in May by continuing the employment of the man who failed in his primary responsibility to Jordan," McNair family attorney Hassan Murphy.

Durkin has been on paid administrative leave since Aug. 11, before the start of his third season at the school. It's unclear when he will return to the sideline.

Maryland offensive guard Ellis McKennie tweeted about accountability.

Every Saturday my teammates and I have to kneel before the memorial of our fallen teammate. Yet a group of people do not have the courage to hold anyone accountable for his death. If only they could have the courage that Jordan had. It’s never the wrong time to do what’s right. pic.twitter.com/AaZVmLGTtS

Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker praised the job Loh has done at the university but expressed disappointment with the Board of Regents.

"It is a shame that they appear to have put the short-term interest of building the university’s football program ahead of continuing the progress of Maryland’s flagship university," he said in a statement.

The 198-page report from the independent commission of eight people said the culture of the program was not the reason behind Jordan McNair's death. The investigation determined the team "did not have a toxic culture" under head coach DJ Durkin but was problematic enough to where players feared speaking out.

The investigation found serious problems with the program that need serious reforms. Loh said plans for reform will be shared in the near future.

Offensive coordinator Matt Canada is serving as interim coach for the Terrapins.

Rick Court, the head of strength and conditioning for the team when McNair collapsed, resigned on Aug. 13. The report said there were many occasions in which Court engaged in "abusive conduct" during his time at Maryland.